White Rock Marathon 12-10-06

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

http://www.runtherock.com/
This can be an interesting shoot, should have some world class rabbits this year with the new corporate sponsorship and the $$$$ that they bring in.
http://www.sportphoto.com/CustomerService.aspx
Dallas based sports photo shooting company that covers the event.

[dgshooter]

I'm going to Dallas to participate in the 1/2 marathon. I signed up for the tiger shoot the day before. It's my first trip to Dallas. I'm from Jefferson City, MO.

Dave G.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Ok here is a bit about the race, I ran the full Marathon several years ago and did finish it.
Up to and even past the 1/2 marathon part of the race the course is realatively flat and you will have the wind at your back or side, only past the 16 mile way point will you be turning back into the wind-there would be a section that the wind whips across the lake if you decide to push yourself to an aid station past the 1/2 way point-they will give you rides back from anywhere on the course so why not push yourself a bit? (the wind direction is based on a wind from the north west).

The part around the lake after the 1/2 way point is pretty much flat. There is a great aid/water/BEER station around the 19 mile mark just as you leave the lake- IT IS WELL WORTH GETTING TOO IF YOU LIKE BEER! Yes they give BEER to the runners! Because within yards of leaving that point YOU GO UP A BIG DANG HILL that will knock you down before you hit Lakewood and get to go downhill through Swiss Avenue and then into downtown.

The race looks like it will be cool-good temp for running- and you hope dry!

A few years back before they changed the route the race passed within about 100 ft of my house.

I went to high school with one guy who won it several times back in the 70's-Kyle Heffner-ended up making the US Olympic Team in 1980 as an alternate in the Marathon in Moscow and we all know how that ended. He holds the early course record that ran from City Hall out to the Lake and Back-current course is slightly different. He also was my neighbor for about 2 years when we both were in Grad school back in the late 70's-He and two other cross country guys (all lived in my apt complex) would go out for a 10 mile or so run at noon or 1pm In July+ August when it was in the upper 90's low 100's and get back in under an hour then hit their afternoon classes/labs.

[Hanky]

where's a good place to setup?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Depends on what you are trying to shoot?
Start/Finish is one spot- you can easily hop across to the Lake and beat the runners if you know the area and maybe hit the 1/2 marathon pt which is along NW Highway on the north end of the lake if the route has not changed since the last couple of years-could not find a route map on the website.
Then there are some great aid stations along the lake and water stations- most were set up by either corporations or volunteers who did their own themes-not sure if they are doing that now with the new Corp sponsorship. Then the fabled Beer Stop at around Mile 19 (I assume that it will still be there since it has been there for over 15 years of the race) then the Hill-Lakewood/Lakeshore after leaving the lake can get some great looks of people hitting the wall-THAT HILL GETS A LOT OF PEOPLE!!!! Some great homes in the background here also and then along Swiss Ave then the Finish line.

If it is cold and windy the east side of the lake isn't PLEASANT with the wind coming across that lake it drops the temp a few more degrees. Also if you are on the east side there is no easy way to park and not get blocked in other than going in off of Garland Road and parking just outside of the park and walking in to the course-then getting to downtown from there isn't too bad-just go over to Abrams which turns into Columbia which then turns into Main. (not sure how the downtown course area is now that they go to the AA Center and not City Hall so taking Main into Downtown should put you south of the course).

If I find a course map I will put a link up to it.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Found the Map
http://www.runtherock.com/race_info/TheRockMap2006.pdf
Turns out that the Half Marathon never goes to the lake but turns off the course and heads back into Downtown at around the 5 mile mark and then cuts over the the back side of the course.
The hill starts at Tokalon and it really gets steep when it cuts over to Lakeshore.

Aid Station around the 19 mile mark is the Beer One, there are 10 around the lake itself each about 1 mile apart the one at about the 20 1/2 mile mark towards the top of the hill gets a lot of people in it.

[Carl]

I'll be running in this - my first marathon! I look forward to seeing everyone's shots.

Another cool thing is it is completely run by volunteers and benefits the Scottish Rite Hospital.

Has anyone heard if they are going to have the flyover at the start again this year? They flew over my house last year - and I missed the shot.